ASSAULT CHARGES

Assault in North Texas

Assault is legally defined as the threat or act of violence. Due to the violent nature of assault charges, Texas Judges take such cases with the utmost seriousness. The level of the assault charge – whether or not it’s a felony or misdemeanor depends on the circumstances in question (e.g., if a weapon was involved or on your person).

To simplify things a little bit, there are three ways to get charged with assault in North Texas:

If you threaten another person with an imminent bodily injury

If you actually cause another person a bodily injury

If you intentionally cause contact with another person when it is clear that person would consider such contact to be offensive

There does not have to be any physical contact for an assault charge to be filed. In some cases, the threat of such violence to invoke the fear of bodily harm in another constitutes enough for officers of the law to file a charge. Given the serious nature of this crime, seeking a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the law and the North Texas court system must be your top priority if you or someone in your family is facing assault charges.

Typical Penalties for Assault in North Texas

The penalties for a conviction on assault charge in Texas can vary quite a bit. But even in the most-simple cases, a conviction can carry with it jail time for up to a year. Continue reading below for more specific information on the types of penalties that specific assault charges carry with them.

One thing you want to protect yourself against is an overeager prosecutor trying to trump up charges on what should be a simple assault into a third-degree felony assault charge. An experienced Texas Defense Attorney like Bruce Isaacks who understands Texas Assault laws and is familiar with local courts and judges is your best bet for protection against something like this happening.

Even if the charge would otherwise be a simple assault charge, you may very well face third-degree felony charges if:

You assaulted an individual who you have knowledge of being a government contractor or public servant.

You commit an act of violence against a member of your family or someone you are in a relationship with and you have previous convictions of domestic violence on your record.

You assaulted an individual who was either an emergency worker or security guard.

For more specific information on different types of assault including what constitutes those types and the typical penalties, continue reading. If you have questions about your case and believe you need legal representation, call Criminal Defense Attorney Bruce Isaacks today.

Simple Assault

This is the most basic assault charge. Considered a Class C Misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of $4,000 and a year in prison. A simple assault charge is typically what results where little to no physical injury occurs.

There are, however, several situations where prosecutors may seek elevate the severity of a simple assault case. These include charges against referees, senior citizens, public servants, emergency personnel workers, state troopers, etc., as well as cases involving domestic violence. For these reasons, especially if you are falsely accused, you should always seek immediate representation from a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney like former District Attorney, Bruce Isaacks.

Aggravated Assault

A far more serious offense, aggravated assault is a felony and can result in a life imprisonment, depending on the circumstances. In most cases, aggravated assault charges are filed in cases where the violence or threat of violence was carried out with a firearm. The firearm does not need to be used during the incident, merely possessing it at the time of the incident can allow prosecutors to elevate a simple assault charge into a felony aggravated assault.

It’s vitally important to get qualified legal representation with aggravated assault charges. This is an extremely serious charge and a dedicated and hardworking criminal defense attorney like Bruce is your best chance at winning your case or reducing your possible sentence.

Manslaughter

One of the most serious forms of assault is manslaughter, which is the unintentional killing of another person through reckless behavior. Manslaughter occurs when an individual knowingly engages in activities that disregards the wellbeing of others resulting in the death of another individual. Commonly prosecuted cases of Manslaughter involve reckless driving (speeding, racing, or swerving) and physical fighting where the injuries sustained lead to death. Manslaughter is considered a second-degree felony and can be punished by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $10,000.

Murder

Murder is perhaps the most serious of assault charges and in the state of Texas includes capital murder, negligent homicide, and intoxicated manslaughter – all charges that carry extremely stiff punishments. Murder is knowingly causing bodily harm and serious injury unto death or the attempt to do so. This is a first degree felony and carries a 5 to 99 year prison sentences as well as fines up to $10,000. However, with a proper defense, an experienced criminal defense attorney like Bruce Isaacks can successfully argue to have the charges reduced to a second degree felony.

Sexual Assault

Any unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact performed by one person on another is considered sexual assault. Sexual Assault is another of the most serious criminal offenses in the state of Texas and carries with it not only a prison sentence of up to 99 years and $10,000 in fines, but also requires anyone convicted to register as a sex offender with their local police for the rest of their life. Anyone facing charges like these needs the insight, experience, and grit that Bruce can bring to their defense if they hope to avoid the maximum penalty that prosecutors will most definitely seek.

Criminal Defense You Can Count On

Bruce Isaacks is Board Certified, Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He practices Criminal Defense in Denton, Texas, and is a Former District Attorney. Bruce has spent years aggressively defending the rights of clients facing felony assault charges like aggravated assault, manslaughter, murder, and sexual assault in Denton, TX and the surrounding area. He has the legal expertise, drive, and understanding of the North Texas court system needed to get his clients the best possible outcomes for their cases.

If you would like to discuss the specifics of your case or are in need of legal representation, please give the Law Offices of Bruce Isaacks a call today. We’re standing by, ready to take your call.

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Attorney Bruce Isaacks

1701 N. Locust Denton, TX 76201

Phone: 940-243-2010

Fax: 940-382-7174

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940-243-2010

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1701 N. Locust St, Suite A, Denton, TX 76201

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